La Bamba South Bay (Old Middlefield) Closed!?!

I was facing the start of my hard core 2008 diet and wanted the very best burrito that I could find in my neck of the working woods. Took a long look around and decided on La Bamba -- carnitas, of course. I braved it through the driving Friday rain and wind, only to behold a most seriously closed La Bamba. Peering inside (desparately hoping for a reprieve, don't you know), the cooking equipment was in the process of being stripped away.

I was forced to order and eat at La Costena next door, which I thought was a very mediocre burrito. Carnitas pretty fatty and tasteless; rice clumpy; salsa uninspiring.

Think of this as a lighter, fresher take on chicken Parmesan: We ditch the breading on the poultry and let juicy cherry tomatoes stand in for jarred pasta sauce. A little grated carrot adds just enough sweetness to round out the acidity.